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What is a screenplay?

What is a screenplay?. A screenplay (or script) is a complete description of an entire movie. It is the basic plan that everyone follows to make a movie from start to finish. What is in a screenplay?. Information about the characters Dialogue and actions of the characters Locations Props

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What is a screenplay?

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  1. What is a screenplay? A screenplay (or script) is a complete description of an entire movie. It is the basic plan that everyone follows to make a movie from start to finish.

  2. What is in a screenplay? • Information about the characters • Dialogue and actions of the characters • Locations • Props • Camera angles

  3. A screenplay is an example of creative writing. Choose a topic that really interests you. Write about what you know and use people you know as a way to start writing. You could chose your uncle as the basis of a character even if your story takes place 100 years ago.

  4. Ways to find Inspiration • Look in a newspaper for current stories • Ask yourself, “what if…” • Listen to people talk

  5. Types of Stories • Character driven • Focuses on people and what happens to them • Plot driven • Focuses on events

  6. Conflicts • You need conflict to make a story interesting. • Conflicts can be internal (inside the character’s head) or external. It’s good to use both.

  7. Character Growth • The character has a goal • The character overcomes obstacles • The character reaches the goal (or does not). That part is up to you.

  8. Remember… • Even the villain has a goal!

  9. Does your character seem real? • What makes your character get up in the morning? Motivation? • What makes your character happy? • What makes your character upset? • Does your character have unusual habits or characteristics?

  10. Building Your Story • Each character needs to seem real • They all need goals, clear backgrounds, relationships to each other • Build up each character until you have created a separate world: your screenplay

  11. What is your genre? • Western • Horror • Love Story • Thriller • Science Fiction • Comedy • Etc.

  12. Audience Expectations • Western • The loner with a moral code • Horror • Conflict between good and evil • Comedy • Ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances or extraordinary people in ordinary circumstances

  13. Things to consider about the protagonist (main character) • Are they dull at the start and then become interesting? • Are they smart or a little stupid? • Are they rich or poor? • Do they get along with people or are they more difficult? • Are they shy or outgoing?

  14. The Catalytic Event: In the beginning of a film there is usually some event that changes everything • A body is discovered • A woman leaves her husband • The child discovers a magical box

  15. Narrative Shape • Does the movie happen over years? • Does the movie flash back and forth (Pulp Fiction)? • Does the movie start at the end and work backwards (Momento)?

  16. Dramatic Shape • The rise and fall of a gangster • Action concentrated at end? Middle? • Action packed? • Sad ending? • Everyday pace focusing on the lives of the characters

  17. The Three Acts • Act 1 • Introduces characters and establishes the conflict that makes up the story. Act 1 ends with the catalytic moment.

  18. Act 2 • Explores the consequences of the catalytic moment. What happens to everyone as a result? Complications?

  19. Act 3 • Tells what finally happens. Resolves any loose ends. We understand what the movie is about.

  20. Telling the story • Films tell stories in pictures and dialogue • Screenplays are dramatic • Conflict equals drama • Lack of conflict equals boring story • We like to see challenge • We like to see despair defeated • We like to see integrity tested

  21. Make sure the story is well structured • Main story needs to start in the beginning and end at the ending • Don’t make it too complex • Make sure it is complex enough! • If there are subplots, do they resolve?

  22. Characters • Aim to know everything about their backgrounds…even if you don’t end up using all that information. • Avoid lengthy descriptions. Let the story speak for itself. • Dialogue must sound natural. Read it outloud.

  23. Dialogue • Avoid long speeches • Make characters say only what they need to get their idea across • Keep it short. Write your dialogue and then cut it even shorter. Short and sweet.

  24. Location • What will the camera show? • Small details can show a lot about the character

  25. Other things to consider about the character • Name. The name is important. It can convey a great deal about the character. • Costume. Consider what everyone is or should be wearing. • Voice. What does your character sound like? Accent?

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